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Oakland sports officials will gather on June 12 for a community discussion at the New Parkway Theater, featuring Oakland Ballers General Manager Laura Geist, Oakland Roots co-founder Tommy Hodul, and Oakland Girls Softball League President Amanda Wentworth. The event aims to highlight the revitalization of local sports and community engagement, with live music and merchandise giveaways.
The Oakland Police Department seeks help locating Crystal Bullock, a 57-year-old Black female, last seen on May 9, 2025. Bullock is at risk due to a health condition and may have a speech impairment. Community members with information are urged to contact the police.
Oakland will continue its free summer meals program for children and adults with disabilities at 47 locations, serving from May 27 to August 8. The initiative, supported by various community organizations, aims to provide over 950 meals daily to combat child hunger during the summer months.
The Oaklash drag festival in Oakland, co-founded by Mama Celeste, has grown from 500 attendees in its inaugural year to 5,000 last year. The festival faces funding challenges due to recent budget cuts and a political climate that has affected corporate sponsorships. Celeste emphasizes the need for community resilience amid rising anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
Oakland's City Council approved $12.8 million in one-year grants to support violence prevention programs, including services for gunshot victims and survivors of gender-based violence. The funding aims to assist community organizations while awaiting a comprehensive public safety plan.
Sherry Denham-Jackson, a former Oakland city official, filed a legal claim against the city for discrimination, harassment, and retaliation after her termination last November. She seeks $10 million in damages, alleging that her firing was illegal and linked to her whistleblower status regarding fraudulent charges against residents.
After 22 years under state receivership, the Oakland Unified School District will regain local control in July. The district faced significant oversight, which limited its decision-making power and created challenges related to funding and school management. Local leaders celebrate this change as a critical step towards addressing long-standing issues in the district.
Cafe Noir has relocated to Prescott Market in West Oakland, offering a menu of homemade comfort foods. Meanwhile, Demiya has opened at Emeryville Public Market, specializing in Western-influenced Japanese dishes. New French wine bar La Loulou has also debuted on Piedmont Ave., serving an array of wines and small bites.
Several new restaurants have opened in the East Bay, including Dumpling House in Alameda and Extreme Pizza in Berkeley. Black Forest Kitchen debuted in Oakland, serving Berlin-style döner kebabs, while Dek Doi and Discover Community Café also reopened with new offerings.
City workers began dismantling Oakland's largest homeless encampment, the E. 12th median camp, amid confusion and tensions. The removal, supported by a $7 million state grant, aims to relocate 79 individuals into a new shelter, but raised concerns about safety protocols during the operation.